EXPLORE

CULTURE

PRIVATE TOUR

4 Day Sri Lanka Highlights

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Discover the cultural sites of Kandy, including the Temple of the Tooth

Explore ancient Dambulla, home to one of Sri Lanka’s most impressive temples

Admire the sweeping jungle views from atop Sigiriya Rock

See the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa

Guide Price £399

Includes return flights

* Call for latest price and offers

Overview

Tick off all the cultural highlights of Sri Lanka on this fascinating four-day private tour, as your English-speaking guide takes you from Colombo to Polonnaruwa.

Starting in the UNESCO-protected city of Kandy, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in Sri Lanka’s culture, as you visit bright markets and sacred temples. Then you’ll travel to Dambulla, where you’ll be amazed by the wall paintings and statues inside the vast Dambulla Cave Temple. Iconic Sigiriya is your next stop, where you can climb to the top of Sri Lanka’s famous rock fortress. Your tour rounds off in the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, filled with ruins and relics from the 11th century.

After your tour, you can return to Colombo Airport or head to the coast for some well-earned beach time.

Day 1

Kandy

Once you land in Colombo, you’ll be met by your chauffeur and set off on the four-hour drive to Kandy – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Sri Lanka’s cultural capital. You’ll take a tour of the city, where folklore, legends and traditions are still very much alive. Explore local markets, stroll around Kandy Lake, built by King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, and visit the Temple of the Tooth – a sacred temple which houses a tooth of Buddha.

In the evening, you’ll be treated to a colourful performance of traditional Kandyan dancing and drumming. You’ll spend the night in Kandy.

Day 2

Dambulla

Make the most of the cool morning in Kandy with a visit to Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Sprawling for 147 acres, this scenic garden has a variety of trees, plants and flowers.

Next, you’ll make tracks for Dambulla. On the way, you’ll take a tour of an exotic spice garden in Matale, before heading to Dambulla Cave Temple. A World Heritage Site, this sacred spot is one of the most impressive temples in Sri Lanka. Made up of five caves and fresco-covered walls, it has the largest area of paintings in the world. The temple also contains over 150 images of the Buddha, the largest of which is 14 metres long. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to explore Dambulla Market, one of the biggest vegetable markets in the country.

Day 3

Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa

Your day starts by climbing the famous Sigiriya Rock – a citadel rising 200 metres above the surrounding jungle. On your way up you’ll see world-renowned frescoes and, when you reach the top of this World Heritage Site, you’ll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views.

Next, you’ll travel to Polonnaruwa. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, this ancient city still has remains of the Royal Palace, the Audience Hall and the Lotus Bath. There are also several temples and the Gal Viharaya, where you’ll see four statues of the Buddha carved out of rock. After a busy day, you’ll return to your hotel in Dambulla.

Transfer from Colombo City to the east coast on day four, if you opt for a beach break in Trincomalee from day four onwards

Transfer from Trincomalee to Colombo Airport after your beach break

Personal expenses

Any other services not specified above

All content and services, including overnight hotels and number of nights, are subject to change and may vary from the inclusions as shown in the itinerary. Specified hotels/content/services are therefore not guaranteed, however we and our suppliers undertake to ensure that any alternatives provided will always be of a similar standard or content/service type.

What's Included

Included

Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis for three nights, from breakfast on day two to breakfast on day four

Transfer from Colombo City to the east coast on day four, if you opt for a beach break in Trincomalee from day four onwards

Transfer from Trincomalee to Colombo Airport after your beach break

Personal expenses

Any other services not specified above

Essential Information

All content and services, including overnight hotels and number of nights, are subject to change and may vary from the inclusions as shown in the itinerary. Specified hotels/content/services are therefore not guaranteed, however we and our suppliers undertake to ensure that any alternatives provided will always be of a similar standard or content/service type.

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